Is America ready for DTV?
Tom Howe, executive director of North Carolina’s UNC-TV network thinks the government will probably delay the Feb. 17th, 2009, analog shut-off.
“People are confused and the affordable digital-to-analog converter boxes are arriving too late in the stores. I don’t think this country is ready”
Michael Soper, DTV consultant and former PBS exec has some not so cheery comments but is doubtful about Congress extending the digital transition deadline:
“We’re burning daylight, and we’re not going to get it back. I don’t think it’s going to be one of those times where Congress says, “Oh, we’ll give them another year.””
Is the Coupon Program Leaving Out Some Consumers?
The story, located at current.org, talks about the converter subsidy plan and its shortcomings.
The coupon program has a caveat which allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes, but under the government’s definition, a “household” consists of all persons who currently occupy a house, apartment, mobile home, group of rooms, or single room that is occupied as a separate U.S. postal address.
Which means, Nursing home residences will be left behind if Congress or the FCC doesn’t change the rules on what constitutes a “homeowner”. Nursing homes traditionally house up to hundreds of clients, with TVs traditionally located within each of their rooms.
The Publics Critical Eye towards DTV
PBS has poured research into best ways to educate TV fans how to prepare for the DTV transition.
The typical reaction from consumers? “Why is this happening?”. PBS found that about the only way to “soften the blow” was to inform the consumer that DTV would clear spectrum for first responders such as police, firemen, and emergency vehicles.
TVConversionHelp Comments: Post your reaction to DTV in our forums located at www.dtvusaforum.com
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where do we get the box?